A new study will investigate whether Tasmania’s hydropower output can be doubled by re-using water.

Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull made the announcement during a visit to the state’s Trevallyn Power Station, where proposals have been set out to redevelop the Tarraleah scheme.

ABC News is also reporting that the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is considering an application from Hydro Tasmania “to explore several new pumped hydro storage schemes”.

The schemes are said to be capable of delivering up to 2,500 mW of pumped hydropower and could lead to significant investment.

“What we’re seeing here in Tasmania is the opportunity in this state to provide even more renewable energy, wind and hydro, than it does today,” Turnbull said.

“There’s the opportunity here in Tasmania to double the capacity of Hydro Tasmania with new investment and with pump storage, and of course it has the best wind assets in Australia — the Roaring Forties.”

The prime minister added that the plan could see Tasmania become the “battery of Australia”.

For over 55 years, Manufacturers’ Monthly has lead and informed Australia’s manufacturing industries with its highly credible editorial environment and its acclaimed analysis of issues affecting manufacturing